Salute 2021 Game - Samurai v Korean and Ming Chinese

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Paul K
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Salute 2021 Game - Samurai v Korean and Ming Chinese

Post by Paul K »

The Japanese invasion of the Korean peninsular had by the end of 1592 reached the city of Pyongyang in the North of the country. From this fortified city a sizeable Japanese expeditionary force was dispatched northwards to seek out and engage any Korean units to the north and west. Unfortunately for the Japanese, a very large vanguard of the Ming Chinese army had passed through the mountains of Northern Korea and was heading for Pyongyang in order to re-capture the city in support of the Koreans. The combined Korean and Ming forces, after a tough fight, managed to surround and completely destroy the Japanese expeditionary force before advancing southwards to assault and eventually capture the city.

The Game scenario.

The game is based on this historical event. Units of Korean infantry and local militia stand in defence of a small earthwork fortification guarding the main route through the mountains to the north. It is through this route that the Koreans expect the Ming army to arrive in support. A sizeable Korean force composed of light and heavy cavalry plus a small infantry contingent are already deployed to halt the advance of the Japanese invaders armed with the knowledge that their Ming allies are already in close proximity and the trap is set!

Game Report
Murray looked on as Dane deployed his brightly painted Samurai army at Salute show. This is the first time for at least 3 years that Dane has had the opportunity to set these colourful chaps on a Hexon table ready to ‘do their stuff.’ This scenario is all about timing, in that the Korean force isn’t capable of defeating the Samurai without the support of the Ming Chinese army. As soon as the Samurai reached the mid-point of the table decided to use a D6 to decide when they should appear on the road through the pass opposite the Korean held fort. At the start of each of the subsequent game turns the dice was rolled. In the first roll a 6 was required, then 5, then 4 etc.
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The mounted units of both sides were soon involved in a shooting match which decidedly went in favour of Dane’s Samurai which then used this early advantage to advance their infantry to form a second line of shooters. The Korean infantry which was composed of spear and militia units then found themselves being ‘shot to bits’ as the Korean cavalry was no longer strong enough to offer any effective support.
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On my next visit to the table, the Ming still hadn’t arrived and the Koreans were being pushed steadily back towards the woods and their own table edge – sometimes a single D6 can be very cruel! By the time that the red uniforms of the Ming cavalry appeared on the road through the pass Dane had plenty of time and distance with which to organise an effective defence. It took a while for the Chinese cavalry to arrive in sufficient numbers and were deployed ready to charge their opponents and so further injury was inflicted upon the already severely depleted Koreans.
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Masses of Chinese infantry- armoured infantry, halberdiers and crossbowmen now appeared, but they were a long way from their Samurai opponents and didn’t represent any immediate threat. It was certainly possible at this point for the Samurai to prepare for a strategic withdrawal back to Pyongyang, but in light of Dane’s excellent performance up to this point I think he was ready to take on all commers!
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Eventually the sheer numbers of Chinese troops appearing through the pass forced Dane into establishing a defensive line with his infantry while his Samurai cavalry dealt with the last of the Koreans. However, the Korean infantry defending the fort were now able to join up with their Ming allies and undertake a combined assault the defensive line of Samurai infantry. It was by now late afternoon and there wasn’t going to be sufficient time available to fight this final stage of the battle and so the Samurai army remained blooded but undefeated – well done Dane!
Kind regards
Paul

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